Somerset docked four points for 'below average' pitch

Somerset have not lost any of their home Championship games this summer

Somerset have been docked four points for producing a 'below average' pitch in their County Championship match with Durham at Taunton.

The home side won inside two days by five wickets in July, a match which saw spinners claim 22 of the 35 wickets to fall, including all of the last 18.

"Whilst we are disappointed by the outcome, we are pleased that the tribunal rejected any suggestion that the club deliberately sought to produce a substandard wicket," said Somerset CEO Jamie Cox.

Somerset's hopes of winning the title had already been ended by their failure to beat Hampshire on Thursday in the penultimate game of the season.

They also have a further four-point deduction that is suspended until the end of the 2027 Championship season.